CT-Sen 2012: Dennis House -- Lieberman: "I can win re-election"

What makes me think Obama will be (0.00 / 0)

less than beholden when Lieberman supports him?

They shook hands. But Obama didn't let go, leading Lieberman - cordially - by the hand across the room into a corner on the Democratic side, where Democratic sources tell ABC News he delivered some tough words for the junior senator from Connecticut, who had just minutes before hammered Obama's speech before the pro-Israel group AIPAC in a conference call arranged by the McCain campaign.

Watch video of the encounter on the Senate floor HERE.

The two spoke intensely for approximately five minutes, with no one able to hear their conversation. Reporters watched as Obama leaned closely in to Lieberman, whose back was literally up against the wall.

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by: Sue @ Tue Jan 04, 2011 at 21:40:46 PM UTC

Be careful folks... (0.00 / 0)

In a state that gave an extremely popular Richard Blumenthal just 55% of the vote last November, we all should be a little bit concerned that the dynamics of 2006 repeat themselves.

The fact of the matter is that Lieberman could still win from third place in the polls.

All you would need in 2012 is a Democrat in the lead, with 45% or less in the polls. If that is the case, might we not again see mass defection from the Republican rank and file to Lieberpuke, the candidate they'd perceive as the lesser of two evils?

In no way do I want to become cocky about this race.

And in his heart of hearts Joe is hoping that he can make this a race against the Democratic left-wing base, when instead we should be making it all about Joe Lieberman, -- typical, lying, self-serving politician at his worst. fwiw.

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by: AndersonScooper @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 08:20:26 AM UTC

PS-- The notion that Lieberman can't raise enough money (0.00 / 0)

to compete is simply wrong.

Joe is still exceedingly popular within his inner circles. Plenty of corporate-leaning "Dems", and Scoop Jackson types, -- to help him fund a $10 million campaign.

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by: AndersonScooper @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 08:22:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The big fly in the ointment is Linda McMahon (4.00 / 2)

There won't be a doormat Republican running in 2012, as there was in 2006. Alan Schlesinger raised only 200k to Lamont and Lieberman's nearly $20mil each. Schlesinger also got no backing whatsoever from the party, nationally or in Connecticut. That won't happen again.

So if Linda decides to run again and toss in another big lump of change the needle is much harder for Lieberman to thread, if not impossible than very difficult.

Even Simmons would pose a big hurdle.

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by: Scarce @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 13:37:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think Lieberman is toast (0.00 / 0)

Connecticut Republicans have made abundantly clear that they will not support Lieberman.  His approval ratings are low among GOPer's here, though Senate Republicans may be operating under illusions.  Connecticut Democrats hate him, and his approval ratings among Democrats reveal that fact.  Since Republicans are far more likely to support McMahon or Tom Foley- probably Foley, the big corporate/Republican money machine is highly unlikely to rev up for Lieberman, as it did in 2006.  Senate Democrats who try to push Lieberman on Connecticut Democrats will find that they've poked a hornet's nest, and will be quickly chastened.

It's a real Democrat versus a real Republican.  No way will anyone back Lieberman again.  Stick a fork in him, folks; he's done!

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by: thomashooker @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 16:19:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

why won't Foley run? (4.00 / 1)

He is another R with enough name recognition and traction to run for the seat Joe currently occupies.  Foley doesn't have the WWE around his neck, and voters either don't know or don't seem to care much about his time in Iraq or his other transgressions that show up in oppo.

Joe commented publicly that Linda had supported and contributed to him in the past.  If he were inclined to support Blumenthal for Senate 2010, could it be that he still might have voiced something like "support" for McMahon so that she will think twice about running against him either in the primary or the general?

Should he run again, Joe might yet have a chance to be just as peeved at former supporter McMahon (R) as he is at all the rest of his former supporters in the D party.  

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by: greenpeas @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 20:35:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe he can hit up his buddy Lanny Davis for money (0.00 / 0)

Davis's firm has a client in the dictator from Equitorial Guinea. $1 mil a year plus expenses.

Lanny Davis' African human rights disaster.
When Lanny Davis was hired by Equatorial Guinea, the lobbyist said things would change there. They haven't.

"There's class warfare, all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning." - Warren Buffet

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by: joesaho @ Wed Jan 05, 2011 at 18:21:35 PM UTC